Flexible Device for Attaching Cards to a Gift or Package

ABSTRACT

A decorative clip firmly holds a greeting card with ease of removal and replacement. The clip is attached to a ribbon or elongated band through a loop of the clip itself or by an optional connector that provides angular, vertical and lateral positioning of the top of the clip with respect to the package to adapt to the shape and size of the package. A kit includes components that can be sold as a unit which can include the clip as well as packaging for a particular gift.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/013,029, filed Aug. 28, 2013, currently pending, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/693,809, filed Aug. 28, 2012, the contents of which are both herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a flexible device for attaching cards to a gift or package, and more particularly, to a decoratively shaped card clip that allows the user to easily remove, read and replace the card and provides the wrapping materials that deliver a professional looking package that is well fitted to the object inside and is especially well-suited for wrapping odd shapes and sizes.

The most prevalent approach to gift wrapping today still utilizes a tag attached with a saliva wetted, one time sticker, a folded, pleated and wrinkled sheet of wrapping paper, shabbily torn transparent adhesive tape, corrugated ribbon and a little mound of ribbon loops with peel off adhesive that resembles a bow. This approach yields a gift with a tag that gets detached and separated from the package accompanied by a wrapper, ribbon and bow that are not reusable. The overall end result is generally unattractive, amateurish and cheap looking.

The following prior art exemplifies inventor's attempts to improve the state of the art outlined in the background section above and reveals how the prior art falls far short of the improvements of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,456,551 to Skapyak shows a card clip with a loop at the top that pivots providing flexible angular position of the card clip. However, Skapyak lacks a package wrapper, lacks a decorative card clip, has no connector, no elongated band, no bow, lacks a card clip with a vertically moveable pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability with respect to the package.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,455,399 to Botts shows a card clip with a loop at the top providing angular positioning of the card clip. However, Botts lacks a package wrapper, lacks a decorative card clip, has no connector, no elongated band, no bow, lacks a card clip with a vertically moveable pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability with respect to the package.

U.S. D668,550 to Roumell shows a package wrapper and bow. However, Roumell lacks a decorative card clip with a loop at the top, has no connector, no elongated band, lacks card clip with vertically and angular moveable pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability with respect to the package.

U.S. D441,279 to Remar shows a package wrapper and bow. However, Remar lacks a decorative card clip with a loop at the top, has no connector, no elongated band, lacks a card clip with an angular and vertically moveable pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability with respect to the package.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,451,777 to Jobst shows a decorative spiral clip. However, Jobst lacks a package wrapper, lacks a loop at the top of the card clip, has no connector, no elongated band, and no bow, lacks angular and vertically moveable clip pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability of the card clip with respect to the package.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,253 to Ellis shows a clip connected to a connector and the connector attached to a tag. However, Ellis lacks a package wrapper, lacks a loop at the top of the card clip, has no elongated band, and no bow, lacks vertically moveable clip pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability of the card clip with respect to the package.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,509,765 to Flores shows a clip connected to a label. However, Flores lacks a package wrapper, lacks a loop at the top of a decorative card clip, has no elongated band, and no bow, lacks vertically moveable clip pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability of the card clip with respect to the package.

None of the prior art summarized above neither separately nor in combination teach any of the claimed combinations of the present invention.

Therefore, a need currently exists for a card holding device that is attractive, allows the greeting card to be easily removed, read and replaced and that is both professional looking and reusable. The needed packaging also stays professional looking and reusable because it is adaptable to the size and shape of the article. The present invention fulfills this need with

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a clip that attractively and gracefully holds the greeting card with ease of removal and replacement. In some embodiments, the clip may be attached to a ribbon or elongated band by a connector that provides both angular and vertical movement of the loop at the top of the clip as well as lateral clip movement, clip removability or stationary clip positioning with respect to the package. In other embodiments, the clip may be attached directly to the ribbon or elongated band by passing the ribbon or elongated band into a loop formed in the clip or by sliding the ribbon or elongated band through an opening formed in the loop of the clip. These features allow the present invention to adapt to the shape and size of the package and allows all of the components to lay flat for shipping. Of course, in some embodiments, the loop, as described below, may be turned 90 degrees, causing a plane formed by the loop to be angled relative to a plane formed by the card holding portion of the clip.

These features, also, make the present invention ideally suited for wrapping the odd shape of a wine bottle and the more conventional shape of a jewelry box. The present invention also includes a kit of components that can be sold as a unit as well as a method of assembling the components in three ways to provide the optimum versatility of the packaging to fit the size and shape of the package.

One object of the present invention is to provide a device, method and kit that provide a user with everything needed for an attractive, practical, versatile and reusable gift wrapping.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a greeting card clip that is both attractive, allows for easy removal and replacement of the card and is versatile to adapt to fastening to a variety of package sizes and shapes especially the more prestigious gifts of wine, jewelry and fragrance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ribbon and bow that play a part in the versatility of the device, method and kit.

Still another objective of the invention is to provide a preformed wrapper that insures consistent visual effect and serviceability for the most inexperienced and uncoordinated user.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an assembly drawing of a wine bottle wrapped and identified with the clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a front view of the spiral card clip design of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a front view of an alternative triangular card clip design;

FIG. 1D is a front view of an alternative heart shaped card clip design;

FIG. 2A is a side view of a connector;

FIG. 2B is a side view of a first method of assembling the connector to the elongated band;

FIG. 2C is a side view of a second method of assembling the connector to the elongated band;

FIG. 2D is a side view of a third method of assembling the connector to the elongated band;

FIGS. 2E and 2F are front views of the first method of assembly of FIG. 2B with elongated bands of two widths;

FIG. 2G is a front view of the second method of assembly of FIG. 2C;

FIG. 2H is a front view of the third method of assembly of FIG. 2D;

FIG. 2J is a side view of the first method of assembly of FIG. 2B showing freedom of motion of the clip;

FIG. 2K is an assembly drawing of a small cubical package wrapped using an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2L is an assembly drawing of a tall wine bottle wrapped using an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2M is an assembly drawing of a large irregular shaped package wrapped using an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an illustration of the steps of method one according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a block diagram of the steps of method one according to an embodiment of the present invention:

FIG. 4A is an illustration of the steps of method two according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of the steps of method two according to an embodiment of the present invention:

FIG. 5A is an illustration of the steps of method three according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of the steps of method three according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a chart showing the degrees of freedom of positioning between the clip, connector and elongated band afforded by the three methods of assembly of FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a kit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a drawing of an instruction card of the kit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is an assembly drawing of a wine bottle wrapped and identified with a clip according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a front view of the spiral card clip design of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is a front view of an alternative triangular card clip design;

FIG. 9D is a front view of an alternative heart shaped card clip design;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views of the clip of FIG. 9A attached directly to elongated bands of two different widths;

FIG. 11A is a front view of a clip according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a front view illustrating attachment to a ribbon by sliding a the ribbon through a loop formed in the clip; and

FIG. 11C is a front view illustrating an alternative attachment method for attaching a ribbon to the clip by sliding an opening formed in the loop onto the ribbon, thereby not requiring a free end of the ribbon to slide through the loop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1A shows an assembly of a wine bottle wrapped and identified using the present invention. The wine bottle 10 is shown in dotted lines and can include bottles with round bottoms and necks, square bottoms and round necks, rectangular bottoms and round necks or any other shape bottle that is on the market. The wrapper 11 is preferably a decorative bag however it can be a sheet, cylinder or any other preformed shape and can be opaque, transparent, glow in the dark or of any other optical quality. The bow is preferably a traditional shoe lace bow but may be of any material, size or shape. The elongated band 13 is preferably a cloth ribbon but may be of any material that is either just flexible but may be elastic or shrink with applied heat or any other material that is capable of being wrapped around the package.

The decorative clip 14 at least requires sufficient winds of a thin resilient material to be deformed when a card is placed between the winds resulting in a card being held in place. In some embodiments, instead of resiliently opening and holding the card, the winds may be formed from a bistable material that can be moved between a first stable position, creating an opening for the card, and a second position that may resiliently secure a card.

The card 15 is there to identify the recipient and sender of a gift and convey a greeting requiring printing. The card 15 needs to be of sufficient stiffness that it will deform the thin resilient material of the clip resulting in the forces to hold the card in place. The card may be of any size, shape or number of plies.

The connector 16 attaches the clip 14 to the elongated band 13. Details of the connector 16 will be illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D.

The clip 14 may take many forms. FIGS. 1A and 1B show the clip 14 in a spiral form. FIG. 1C shows a triangular shaped clip 17 and FIG. 1D shows a heart shaped clip 18. Clips of animals, holiday symbols, celestial objects, landmarks, vehicles, structures, signs and any number of other shapes are possible. All of the clips 14 have a loop 19 at the top that either interfaces directly with the elongated band 13 or that interfaces with the connector 16 to attach the clip 14 to the elongated band 13.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of a connector 16. The connector 16 may have a “D” shaped opening 21 with a single layer left side and two legs on the right hand side. The connector 16 is typically made with height 23 of 0.5-1.0 inch and depth 22 of 0.38-0.5 inch.

FIG. 2B is a side view of a first method of assembling the clip 14 with the top loop 19 to the connector 16 and subsequently inserting the elongated band 13 through the “D” shaped opening 21 of the connector 16. FIG. 2C is a side view of a second method of assembling the clip 14 with the top loop 19 to the connector 16 and subsequently inserting the elongated band 13 in between the two legs 20 of the connector 16.

FIG. 2D is a side view of a third method of assembling the clip 14 with the top loop 19 to the connector 16 and subsequently piercing the elongated band 13 with the tips of the two legs 20 of the connector 16. FIG. 2E is a front view of the first method of assembling the clip 14 with the top loop 19 to the connector 16 and subsequently threading elongated band 13 through the “D” shaped opening 21 of the connector 16. FIG. 2F is also a front view of the first method of assembling the clip 14 with the top loop 19 to the connector 16 and subsequently threading elongated band 13 through the “D” shaped opening 21 of the connector 16 except the elongated band 13 is narrower than the elongated band 13 of FIG. 2E.

FIG. 2G is a font view of a second method of assembling the clip 14 with the top loop 19 to the connector 16 and subsequently inserting the elongated band 13 in between the two legs 20 (un-shown) of the connector 16. FIG. 2H is a front view of a third method of assembling the clip 14 with the top loop 19 to the connector 16 and subsequently piercing the elongated band 13 with the tips (not shown) of the two legs 20 of the connector 16. FIG. 2J is a side view of the connector 16 attached to the elongated band 13 and with the top loop 19 of the clip 14 inserted through the “D” shaped hole 21. The four positions of clip 14 with respect to elongated band 13 exemplify the freedom of movement of the clip 14 that allows the present invention to lay flat on packages of various shapes and sizes.

FIG. 2K shows a cube shaped package in a wrapper 11 with a bow 12 card 15 and clip 18. The clip takes a horizontal position when used under these circumstances. FIG. 2L shows a tall wine bottle shaped package in a wrapper 11 with a bow 12 card 15 and clip 14. The clip takes a downward angled position when used under these circumstances. FIG. 2M shows a large irregularly shaped package with wrapper 11 with a bow 12 card 15 and clip 17. The clip takes a close to horizontal position when used under these circumstances.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of the steps of the first method of assembling the present invention. FIG. 3B is a block diagram of the steps of the first method of assembling the present invention that start with step 301 where placing an object (bottle) to be wrapped in the wrapper (bag) to cover the object, 302 where scrunching the wrapper (bag) around object where elongated band will be placed (at neck of bottle), 303 where tying elongated band around object, now inside the bag, where it will be most advantageous to attach greeting card (at bottle neck), 304 where passing elongated band through center cavity of connector and sliding connector with its attached clip to front center of object thus locating it where it will be most advantageous to attach greeting card, 305 where tying elongated band into a decorative bow atop connector (clip dangles below bow), and 306 where sliding greeting card into clip so that front of card is displayed as part of overall gift wrapping aesthetic.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of the steps of the second method of assembling the present invention. FIG. 4B is a block diagram of the steps of the second method of assembling the present invention that start with step 401 where tying elongated band around object, now inside wrapping paper, so that the object/gift is wrapped and secured with ribbon and a decorative bow is tied on top, 402 where sliding elongated band between two back legs of connector so that connector is securely clipped to elongated band, 403 where sliding connector (and clip) along elongated band to location best suited for greeting card display, and 404 where sliding greeting card into clip so that front of card is displayed as part of overall gift wrapping aesthetic.

FIG. 5A is an illustration of the steps of the third method of assembling the present invention. FIG. 5B is a block diagram of the steps of the third method of assembling the present invention that start with step 501 where placing an object (bottle) to be wrapped in the wrapper (bag) to cover the object, and 502 where scrunching the wrapper (bag) around object where elongated band will be placed (at neck of bottle), and 503 where positioning elongated band with reattached connector and clip on object (now inside bag) where it will be most advantageous to attach greeting card (at bottle neck), and 504 where passing ends of elongated band to back of object/gift and bringing ends to front again while clip dangles in front prominent position on object, and 505 where tying elongated band into a decorative bow atop connector (clip dangles below bow), and 506 where sliding greeting card into clip so that front of card is displayed as part of overall gift wrapping aesthetic.

FIG. 6 is a summary chart that contrasts the capabilities of the three methods of assembling the components of the present invention. The three methods are represented in the columns of the chart and the packaging variables that are provided by the instant invention are represented in the rows of the chart.

FIG. 7 shows the components of the kit of the present invention with an example of the graphics that enhance the market appeal of the kit and attractiveness of the finished package. Shown is a wrapper 11 in the form of a bag for a bottle of wine, the elongate band is in the form of a lush ribbon 13, the decorative clip 14 of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B is fastened to elongated band 13 by connector 16 which has been preassembled to elongated band 13 using method three. An instruction card, which is shown in detail in FIG. 8, is the final component of the kit of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is an example of an instruction card for wrapping a bottle of wine using the components of the kit shown in FIG. 7. Three easy steps and the bottle is fit for presentation to a special person.

FIG. 9A shows an assembly of a wine bottle wrapped and identified using an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The wine bottle 10 is shown in dotted lines and can include bottles with round bottoms and necks, square bottoms and round necks, rectangular bottoms and round necks or any other shape bottle that is on the market. The wrapper 11 is preferably a decorative bag however it can be a sheet, cylinder or any other preformed shape and can be opaque, transparent, glow in the dark or of any other optical quality. The bow is preferably a traditional shoe lace bow but may be of any material, size or shape. The elongated band 13 is preferably a cloth ribbon but may be of any material that is either just flexible but may be elastic or shrink with applied heat or any other material that is capable of being wrapped around the package.

The decorative clip 14 at least requires sufficient winds of a thin resilient material to be deformed when a card is placed between the winds resulting in a card being held in place. In some embodiments, instead of resiliently opening and holding the card, the winds may be formed from a bistable material that can be moved between a first stable position, creating an opening for the card, and a second position that may resiliently secure a card.

The card 15 is there to identify the recipient and sender of a gift and convey a greeting requiring printing. The card 15 needs to be of sufficient stiffness that it will deform the thin resilient material of the clip resulting in the forces to hold the card in place. The card may be of any size, shape or number of plies.

Unlike FIGS. 1A through 1D, there is no connector 16 acting as an intermediary between the loop 19 and the elongated band 13. Instead, the loop 19 directly attaches the clip 14 to the elongated band 13. This can be seen in FIG. 9A and, in greater detail in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

The clip 14 may take many forms, as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A through 1D. FIGS. 9B through 9D show just a few examples of the form in which the clip 14 may be configured. Clips of animals, holiday symbols, celestial objects, landmarks, vehicles, structures, signs and any number of other shapes are possible.

FIG. 10A is a front view of the first method of assembling the clip 14 with the top loop 19 threading elongated band 13 therethrough. FIG. 10B is also a front view of the first method of assembling the clip 14 with the top loop 19 threading elongated band 13 therethrough, except the elongated band 13 is narrower than the elongated band 13 of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A shows an alternate embodiment for a clip 40, where the loop 24 extends about itself at a lower portion 23 thereof. An opening 40 is formed in this lower portion. The opening 40 may permit the elongated band 13 to be slid into the loop 24 without having to be threaded through the loop 24, as shown in FIG. 11C. The lower portion 23 being bent back about itself helps prevent the elongated band 13 from sliding out of the loop 24. Of course, the elongated band 13 may be threaded into the loop 24, as shown in FIG. 11B, if desired.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device allowing for easy removal and replacement of gift cards for use with a wide range of package shapes and sizes, comprising: a clip formed from a spiral of a plurality of turns, wherein the clip exerts a resilient force on a front face and a back face of a card placed between two of the plurality of turns of the spirals, wherein the resilient force is configured to retain the card therewithin; and a loop formed from one end of the spiral, the loop having an opening at a top edge of the plurality of turns, wherein the clip hangs from the opening in a direction determined by a gravitational force.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a connector, wherein the connector is made of an elongate material that is formed to encircle the loop and an elongated band configured to be attached to a package.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the connector is formed in a “D” shape.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the connector is made of elongate material with a length that is approximately three times a width of the elongate band, wherein the connector has a semi-circular portion in the center with a length that is approximately the same as the width of the elongate band, and wherein the connector is bent ninety degrees at either end of the semi-circular portion forming a “D” shape with the semi-circular portion forming the right hand side of the “D” shape and two sections that are essentially straight and parallel forming the left hand side of the “D” shape.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the loop opening in the clip and the elongate band both pass through the opening at the center of the “D” shape connector.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the connector and clip are secure from removal from the elongated band and are free to slide along the length of the elongate band.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein the connector passes through the opening in the clip and the elongate band is pinched between the two the two essentially straight sections forming the left hand side of the “D” shape of the connector.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the connector is removable from the elongate band and is configured to be replaced anywhere along the elongate band when the elongate band is pinched between the two essentially straight sections forming the left hand side of the “D” shape.
 9. The device of claim 4, wherein the two essentially straight sections that form the left side of the “D” shape puncture the elongate band.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the connector is secure from movement or removal from the elongate band when the two essentially straight sections that form the left side of the “D” puncture the elongate band.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the loop wraps around onto itself at a lower portion thereof.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the loop receives an elongated band and the clip hangs from the elongated band.
 13. A method of use of a device for easy removal and replacement of gift cards and adaptable to a wide range of package types, comprising: supplying an object to be wrapped; supplying a wrapper to cover the object; supplying an elongate band to encircle the wrapper covering the object; supplying a card for greeting a recipient of the object; supplying a clip for easy removal and replacement of the card; supplying a connector for attaching the clip to the elongate band.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining if a wrapped object requires a card that slides easily along the elongate band; threading the elongate band through the hole in the connector before fastening the elongate band around the wrapped object.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining if the wrapped object requires a card that is securely fastened in a single position along the elongate band; piercing the elongate band with both ends of the connector before fastening the elongate band around the wrapped object.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining if the wrapped object requires a card that is removable and replaceable in any position along the elongate band; pinching the elongate band between a two bent sections in parallel forming the left hand side of a “D” shape of the connector before fastening the elongate band around the wrapped object.
 17. A kit for wrapping an object including a device for easy removal and replacement of gift cards that is adaptable to a wide range of package types, comprising: a wrapper to cover the object; an elongate band to encircle the wrapper; a card; a clip for easy removal and replacement of the card; a connector for attaching the clip to the elongate band; instructions for identification of objects that require one of three methods of attaching the connector to the elongate band; instructions for attaching the connector to the elongate band using all of the three methods. 